Strategic Sourcing Manager

Randstad UK; Slough; Hybrid; GBP 80,000 - 105,000; Full time

Job summary

Randstad UK is seeking a Strategic Sourcing Manager for Flexible Packaging in Slough, with 2 days per week in the office. The role leads high-impact sourcing in a globally linked FMCG procurement environment.

You will manage category performance (~$110m) and drive value creation, supply security and sustainability through cross-functional collaboration with R&D, Quality, Operations and Finance.

Qualifications

• Bachelor’s or Master’s degree in business or a related discipline.
• Minimum 5 years in Procurement and 2 years in Flexible Packaging Sourcing.
• Experience in a worldwide procurement environment, preferably in FMCG/retail.
• Knowledge of commodity markets, price mitigation, and supplier management.
• Category sourcing expertise in packaging.
• Strong leadership including communication and negotiation skills.

Responsibilities

• Provide rigorous spend data analysis to prioritise and launch sourcing initiatives.
• Identify and deliver savings, efficiency, growth and sustainability opportunities.
• Be the category expert on market trends and price risk for budgeting.
• Prepare business cases and should-cost models with complex data analysis.
• Lead RFIs, RFPs and eAuctions using eSourcing tools.
• Develop and execute supplier negotiation strategies and selection.
• Drive material simplification and value engineering for supply chain efficiency.
• Engage stakeholders and build business cases for new spend opportunities.
• Develop implementation and transition plans and support change management.

Skills

Strategic sourcing

Negotiation

Stakeholder management

Analytical thinking

Education

BSc / MSc in business or related discipline

Tools

eProcurement tools

eSourcing tools

Job description

Role: Strategic Sourcing Manager - Flexible Packaging

Location: Slough (2 days per week in the office)

Pay rate: Up to £500 per day (Inside IR35)

Randstad has partnered with a purpose-driven company, striving to build the world we want tomorrow, today. You will join a globally recognised leader in the FMCG sector. This is a highly visible opportunity to drive value and make a tangible impact within a worldwide procurement environment.

The role

This position is responsible for leading strategic sourcing initiatives related to Flexible Packaging for the region. You will work as part of a global team to leverage further opportunities and ensure sourcing benefits are fully realised.

In this role, you’ll be at the forefront of managing the category performance of flexible packaging ($110m) and implementing a robust strategy focusing on Value Creation, Supply Security, and Sustainability. This strategy will be closely aligned with other functions including R&D, Quality, Operations, and Finance to deliver transformational projects, including the incorporation of recycled content into packaging formats.

Key Responsibilities

• Provide rigorous analysis of spend data and industry dynamics to prioritize and launch sourcing initiatives.
• Identify and deliver savings, efficiency, growth, and sustainability opportunities.
• Be the category expert in terms of market trends, conduct price risk management, and forecast pricing for the annual budgeting cycle.
• Prepare and present business cases and should-cost models while performing complex data analysis.
• Manage the planning and launch of RFIs, RFPs, and eAuctions, utilizing eSourcing technology tools.
• Develop and execute supplier negotiation strategies and manage the supplier selection process.
• Identify, scope, and execute material simplification, process re-engineering, value engineering, and supply chain efficiency projects.
• Build relationships with key stakeholders and develop business cases for new spend management opportunities.
• Develop implementation and transition plans, supporting change management initiatives.

What you’ll bring

• Education: BSc / MSc in business or a related discipline.
• Experience: Minimum 5 years in Procurement and 2 years in Flexible Packaging Sourcing.
• Experience within a worldwide procurement environment, with retail / FMCG experience preferred.
• Knowledge of commodity markets, price mitigation strategies, financial accounting, strategic sourcing, and supplier management concepts.
• Category sourcing expertise in packaging.
• Strong leadership capabilities including Communication, Negotiation, Stakeholder Management, Peer Relationships, Drive for Results, Analytical Thinking, and Problem Solving.
• Technology-savvy to leverage eProcurement and eSourcing tools.
• Ability to manage complex business issues, influence change in the face of ambiguity, and perform in a fast-paced, time-sensitive environment.
• Experience working with multicultural teams in a highly collaborative environment.
• Ability to travel (anticipated to be 20% of your time).